S 1159

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
Bill 1159
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)
A senate RESOLUTION
TO CONGRATULATE Bill Gaither upON THE OCCASION OF
HIS Ninetieth BIRTHDAY AND TO Commend him for his tremendous contributions to American
Christian Music.
Whereas, the members of
the South Carolina Senate are pleased to congratulate Bill Gaither upon the
celebration of his ninetieth birthday, which occurred on March 28, 2026, and to
commend him for his tremendous contributions to American Christian music; and
Whereas, a native of Alexandria,
Indiana, Mr. Gaither was born on March 28, 1936, to parents George Gaither and
Lela Hartwell. He is an alumnus of Anderson College and Ball State University;
and
Whereas, Mr. Gaither
began his career in gospel music by founding the Bill Gaither trio alongside
his siblings Danny and Mary Ann in 1956, while a student at Anderson College.
After graduating, he worked as an English teacher at Alexandria High School
while pursuing music part-time. Mr. Gaither met his wife, Gloria, there in 1962
while she was a substitute French teacher. In 1967, he began working full time
in the Christian music industry thanks to his breakout hit, "He Touched Me;"
and
Whereas, over the
years, Mr. and Mrs. Gaither have written over seven hundred gospel songs, which
have been performed by Christian artists, country singers like the Statler
Brothers, and pop legends like Elvis Presley. Together, they have collectively earned
eight Grammy Awards and more than a dozen nominations, and they have received
more than two dozen Dove Awards from The Gospel Music Association, earning the
title of Gospel Music Association's "Songwriter of the Year" eight times; and
Whereas, the Gaither's
Homecoming tours, which started in 1991, brought together major stars of the
southern gospel and contemporary Christian music industries, sparking a revival
of the genres. The tours have sold more than one million tickets across the
world, and have included such notable venues as the Kennedy Center and Carnegie
Hall; and
Whereas, Mr. Gaither
has been a father figure to many younger performers in the Contemporary
Christian music industry, while helping to prolong the careers of those who
came before him. Mark Lowry, Michael W. Smith, Carman, Sandi Patty, Steve
Green, Don Francisco, Amy Grant, Michael English, Jonathan Pierce, Karla
Worley, and Cynthia Clawson are all contemporary Christian artists who either
got their start or became popular while touring with the Gaithers; and
Whereas, Mr. Gaither
founded the Gaither Music Company, which includes the functions of record
company, concert booking, television production, copyright management,
recording studio, and telemarketing for the Gaither organization. After decades
of unprecedented musical successes, Bill and Gloria still operate this business
from Alexandria; and
Whereas, the South
Carolina Senate takes great pleasure in honoring such an icon in American Christian
music on his ninetieth birthday and wishes him much success in the years ahead.
 Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the
South Carolina Senate, by this resolution,
congratulate Bill Gaither upon the occasion of his ninetieth birthday and
commend him for his tremendous contributions to American Christian music.
Be it further resolved
that a copy of this resolution be presented to Bill Gaither.
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This web page was last updated on April 29, 2026 at 04:27 PM